Cupra R

[LouG]

We called in to the SEAT Store last Thursday as we were in Auckland, I like to catch up with the team when we're up there. So, we were offered a car for our stay, but we didn't really need one, then Dane offered us their Cupra R. It's a ex-demo manual, the only R in NZ, with 2200 km's on it. It was matt grey with copper accents, really different and purposeful looking. Who could refuse that, we arranged to pick it up on Saturday.
As luck would have it, we'd only had it an hour before some guy wanted to test drive it and we had to return.
What I noticed in driving it was slightly more pointy steering, a really nice shift, but a bit jerky between 1 - 2 in slow traffic. Fantastic brakes, like hitting a wall. And I got it to fart on an aggressive shift into 3rd, which I thought manuals didn't do. Lot's of pops and burbles on overrun too.
If it had been a DSG I'd have been very tempted to change over. I couldn't live with a manual in heavy traffic anymore. Great car though.
Then he gave us a new 290 6 speed DSG with digital dash. The dash is OK, I'd be happy with it but wouldn't pay extra. I guess there's no choice now anyway.
It had the Beats system fitted which as others have said, is bassier, but still sounds quite good.
The main thing though, is that it does fart and pop. Maybe a bit quieter than mine, but would probably get louder with a few more km's. I couldn't really feel any difference in performance from mine though.
Dane also got a ride in the TCR at the Cupra Ateca launch recently. He was blown away by the braking performance more than the acceleration and cornering.

 

[Lmbarrett83]

Did the R handle the power better?

The 7spd 290 seems quite vocal. The over-run has been fairly consistent when dropping from 4-3k revs especially in manual.

I can get the DSG farts consistently now too but they aren't anything like previous versions (especially from inside the cabin)




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[LouG]

Did the R handle the power better?

The 7spd 290 seems quite vocal. The over-run has been fairly consistent when dropping from 4-3k revs especially in manual.

I can get the DSG farts consistently now too but they aren't anything like previous versions (especially from inside the cabin)




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Not that you'd notice, lit up the tyres on a dry road in second without trying. No tramp and crashing though.
Good point about the farts, I can hear them all the time in the 300, but the open sunroof really makes them noticeable.

 

[Lmbarrett83]

Not that you'd notice, lit up the tyres on a dry road in second without trying. No tramp and crashing though.
Good point about the farts, I can hear them all the time in the 300, but the open sunroof really makes them noticeable.

I think the lack of axle tramp and crashing is all one could really hope for given its fwd.

I wonder if it has the upgraded mount insert. Did the ride quality feel much harsher?

Good point about the sunroof, all I'm able to appreciate about it right now is the light it lets into the cabin.


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[Tara]

Does anyone know if the R shares the same alloy subframe that the Golf Clubsport uses ?

 

[TheSwede]

Does anyone know if the R shares the same alloy subframe that the Golf Clubsport uses ?

Cupra R have steel subframe. Mine is very black . If Clubsport S have Audi alloy subframe I can't tell. Ordinary CS have steel I suppose.

/Peter

 

[LouG]

I think the lack of axle tramp and crashing is all one could really hope for given its fwd.

I wonder if it has the upgraded mount insert. Did the ride quality feel much harsher?

Good point about the sunroof, all I'm able to appreciate about it right now is the light it lets into the cabin.


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The ride is much the same in Sport and Cupra

 

[Tara]

Cupra R have steel subframe. Mine is very black . If Clubsport S have Audi alloy subframe I can't tell. Ordinary CS have steel I suppose.

/Peter

The Clubsport S definitely has one.

 

[hai8830]

The only different between that cupra R one and the 290 with digital dash are, the 20hp differnce, the brembo break, more sportier body kit plus copper decoration. I have the last cupra 300 in NZ, I tested the Beat sound system in their new 290 and I like my SEAT sound system more, it might be just my bias.

We called in to the SEAT Store last Thursday as we were in Auckland, I like to catch up with the team when we're up there. So, we were offered a car for our stay, but we didn't really need one, then Dane offered us their Cupra R. It's a ex-demo manual, the only R in NZ, with 2200 km's on it. It was matt grey with copper accents, really different and purposeful looking. Who could refuse that, we arranged to pick it up on Saturday.
As luck would have it, we'd only had it an hour before some guy wanted to test drive it and we had to return.
What I noticed in driving it was slightly more pointy steering, a really nice shift, but a bit jerky between 1 - 2 in slow traffic. Fantastic brakes, like hitting a wall. And I got it to fart on an aggressive shift into 3rd, which I thought manuals didn't do. Lot's of pops and burbles on overrun too.
If it had been a DSG I'd have been very tempted to change over. I couldn't live with a manual in heavy traffic anymore. Great car though.
Then he gave us a new 290 6 speed DSG with digital dash. The dash is OK, I'd be happy with it but wouldn't pay extra. I guess there's no choice now anyway.
It had the Beats system fitted which as others have said, is bassier, but still sounds quite good.
The main thing though, is that it does fart and pop. Maybe a bit quieter than mine, but would probably get louder with a few more km's. I couldn't really feel any difference in performance from mine though.
Dane also got a ride in the TCR at the Cupra Ateca launch recently. He was blown away by the braking performance more than the acceleration and cornering.

 

[Lmbarrett83]

The only different between that cupra R one and the 290 with digital dash are, the 20hp differnce, the brembo break, more sportier body kit plus copper decoration. I have the last cupra 300 in NZ, I tested the Beat sound system in their new 290 and I like my SEAT sound system more, it might be just my bias.

*CUPRA R changes*

The major mechanical changes have been reserved for the suspension, which has been tweaked to deliver a sharper driving experience. For starters the electrically powered rack has been recalibrated for a faster response, while the strut front suspension has been adjusted to deliver greater negative camber in an attempt to improve turn-in and front-end grip – it has been increased from 1.3 degrees to two degrees. The ride height remains the same, but the calibration of the standard adaptive dampers has been altered to work over a wider bandwidth. There are also 19-inch alloys that feature a wider rim, increasing the track of the car by 20mm front and rear.

Other changes include the adoption of 370mm front brake discs that are clamped by Brembo four pot calipers – a system that’s similar to that used on the old Sub8 performance pack models



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[Lmbarrett83]

Can't really compare SS to BA but I'm really happy with BA as compared to the standard system in my 280.

All I felt was missing was deeper bass and the BA delivers plenty of bass. I had to calibrate the settings to get the best out of it for me.

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